Mastering action verbs ending in ‘s’ is critical for accurate and fluent English communication. These verbs, primarily used in the third-person singular present tense, are foundational to constructing grammatically correct sentences.
This article provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the forms, usage, and common pitfalls associated with action verbs ending in ‘s’. Whether you’re an ESL learner, a student honing your writing skills, or simply seeking to refine your grammar, this resource will equip you with the knowledge and practice needed to confidently use these verbs.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Definition of Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Structural Breakdown
- Types or Categories
- Examples of Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’
- Usage Rules
- Common Mistakes
- Practice Exercises
- Advanced Topics
- FAQ
- Conclusion
Definition of Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’
Action verbs ending in ‘s’ are a specific form of verbs used primarily in the simple present tense. This form is exclusively used with third-person singular subjects, such as he, she, it, or singular nouns (e.g., the cat, John). The ‘s’ is added to the base form of the verb to indicate that the action is being performed by a singular subject in the present.
The primary function of these verbs is to describe actions, occurrences, or states of being performed by a single entity in the present. They are crucial for conveying habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
Understanding their proper usage is fundamental for constructing grammatically correct and clear sentences in English.
In the context of English grammar, these verbs play a vital role in subject-verb agreement. Subject-verb agreement dictates that the verb form must match the subject in number (singular or plural).
The ‘s’ ending on action verbs is the most common marker of a singular verb form in the present tense, distinguishing it from the base form used with plural subjects and other persons (I, you, we, they).
Structural Breakdown
The structure of sentences using action verbs ending in ‘s’ follows a basic pattern:
Subject (Third-Person Singular) + Verb (with ‘s’ ending) + (Optional) Object/Complement
Let’s break this down further:
- Subject: This is the person, animal, place, or thing performing the action. It must be a third-person singular subject (he, she, it, the dog, Mary).
- Verb (with ‘s’ ending): This is the action being performed. The ‘s’ is added to the base form of the verb. For example, walk becomes walks, eat becomes eats, and play becomes plays.
- Object/Complement: This is optional and provides additional information about the action. It can be a noun, pronoun, or adjective that completes the meaning of the sentence.
Here are some examples illustrating this structure:
- He walks to school every day. (Subject: He, Verb: walks, Object: to school)
- She eats breakfast at 7 AM. (Subject: She, Verb: eats, Object: breakfast)
- The dog plays in the park. (Subject: The dog, Verb: plays, Object: in the park)
It’s important to note that some verbs have irregular forms when the ‘s’ is added. For example, verbs ending in -y often change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ before adding ‘es’ (e.g., study becomes studies). Verbs ending in -s, -ss, -ch, -sh, -x, or -z add ‘es’ (e.g., watch becomes watches, buzz becomes buzzes).
Types or Categories
Action verbs ending in ‘s’ can be categorized based on their function and meaning within a sentence. Here are some common categories:
1. Transitive Verbs
Transitive verbs require a direct object to complete their meaning. The action is performed on something or someone.
Example: He reads the book. (book is the direct object)
2. Intransitive Verbs
Intransitive verbs do not require a direct object. The action is complete in itself.
Example: She sleeps soundly.
3. Linking Verbs
Linking verbs connect the subject to a noun or adjective that describes or identifies the subject. While not strictly “action” verbs, they still take the ‘s’ form with third-person singular subjects.
Example: He is a doctor.
4. Auxiliary Verbs
Auxiliary verbs (helping verbs) assist the main verb in a sentence. The most common auxiliary verbs that take an ‘s’ form are has and does.
Example: He has finished his homework.
Example: She does her best.
Examples of Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’
This section provides extensive examples of action verbs ending in ‘s’ used in different contexts. These examples are categorized to illustrate the variety of ways these verbs can be used.
Table 1: Common Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’ – General Actions
The table below contains examples of general actions performed by a third-person singular subject. These verbs represent everyday activities and occurrences.
| Sentence | Verb |
|---|---|
| He walks to work every morning. | walks |
| She eats lunch at noon. | eats |
| It rains often in April. | rains |
| The bird sings beautifully. | sings |
| John works at the bank. | works |
| Mary studies English every day. | studies |
| The sun rises in the east. | rises |
| The cat sleeps on the couch. | sleeps |
| He drinks coffee in the morning. | drinks |
| She reads novels in her free time. | reads |
| It snows frequently in winter. | snows |
| The dog barks at strangers. | barks |
| He drives to the city. | drives |
| She writes poetry. | writes |
| It grows quickly in the garden. | grows |
| The student learns new things every day. | learns |
| He speaks English fluently. | speaks |
| She dances gracefully. | dances |
| It shines brightly. | shines |
| The computer crashes often. | crashes |
| He watches television in the evening. | watches |
| She washes dishes every day. | washes |
| It buzzes around the flower. | buzzes |
| The teacher teaches math. | teaches |
| He fixes cars. | fixes |
Table 2: Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’ – Habits and Routines
This table showcases action verbs ending in ‘s’ used to describe habits, routines, and recurring actions.
| Sentence | Verb |
|---|---|
| He always arrives on time. | arrives |
| She usually wakes up early. | wakes |
| It often happens on Mondays. | happens |
| The train departs at 6 AM. | departs |
| John regularly exercises at the gym. | exercises |
| Mary frequently visits her parents. | visits |
| The store opens at 9 AM. | opens |
| The conference starts next week. | starts |
| He consistently checks his email. | checks |
| She regularly practices the piano. | practices |
| It occasionally malfunctions. | malfunctions |
| The bus stops at the corner. | stops |
| He seldom complains about the work. | complains |
| She rarely watches TV. | watches |
| It sometimes rains in the afternoon. | rains |
| The clock ticks loudly. | ticks |
| He often forgets his keys. | forgets |
| She usually calls her mother on Sundays. | calls |
| It generally costs a lot. | costs |
| The program runs smoothly. | runs |
| He typically orders pizza on Fridays. | orders |
| She frequently listens to music. | listens |
| It always helps to ask for advice. | helps |
| The bird chirps every morning. | chirps |
| He often loses his temper. | loses |
Table 3: Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’ – States of Being and Characteristics
This table provides examples of action verbs ending in ‘s’ that describe states of being, characteristics, or qualities of a third-person singular subject. Some of these are linking verbs.
| Sentence | Verb |
|---|---|
| He seems happy. | seems |
| She feels tired. | feels |
| It looks interesting. | looks |
| The food tastes delicious. | tastes |
| John appears confident. | appears |
| Mary believes in herself. | believes |
| The idea sounds good. | sounds |
| The car belongs to him. | belongs |
| He knows the answer. | knows |
| She understands the problem. | understands |
| It contains important information. | contains |
| The book costs twenty dollars. | costs |
| He needs help. | needs |
| She wants a new car. | wants |
| It requires attention. | requires |
| The machine operates smoothly. | operates |
| He owns a house. | owns |
| She possesses great talent. | possesses |
| It matters a lot. | matters |
| The painting represents beauty. | represents |
| He remembers everything. | remembers |
| She prefers coffee over tea. | prefers |
| It includes all the details. | includes |
| The company provides excellent service. | provides |
| He recognizes her face. | recognizes |
Table 4: Action Verbs Ending in ‘S’ – Irregular Verbs and Special Cases
This table features examples of action verbs that have irregular forms and other special cases when used with the third-person singular present tense.
| Sentence | Verb |
|---|---|
| He has a car. | has |
| She does her homework. | does |
| It goes to the park. | goes |
| He says hello. | says |
| She tries her best. | tries |
| It flies high in the sky. | flies |
| He cries when he is sad. | cries |
| She worries too much. | worries |
| It implies a deeper meaning. | implies |
| He relies on his friends. | relies |
| She carries the groceries. | carries |
| It applies to everyone. | applies |
| He hurries to the meeting. | hurries |
| She specifies the details. | specifies |
| It justifies the means. | justifies |
| He analyzes the data. | analyzes |
| She emphasizes the importance. | emphasizes |
| It symbolizes hope. | symbolizes |
| He kisses his wife. | kisses |
| She misses her family. | misses |
| It passes the test. | passes |
| He pushes the door. | pushes |
| She catches the ball. | catches |
| It mixes well with water. | mixes |
| He relaxes on the beach. | relaxes |
Usage Rules
The correct usage of action verbs ending in ‘s’ is governed by several key rules:
- Subject-Verb Agreement: The most important rule is that the verb must agree with the subject in number. Use the ‘s’ form only with third-person singular subjects (he, she, it, singular nouns).
- Simple Present Tense: These verbs are primarily used in the simple present tense to describe habitual actions, general truths, and scheduled events.
- Irregular Verbs: Be aware of irregular verbs like have (which becomes has), do (which becomes does), and go (which becomes goes).
- Verbs Ending in -y: If a verb ends in a consonant + ‘y’, change the ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’ (e.g., study becomes studies, try becomes tries).
- Verbs Ending in -s, -ss, -ch, -sh, -x, -z: Add ‘es’ to these verbs (e.g., kiss becomes kisses, watch becomes watches, buzz becomes buzzes).
- Exceptions: The verb be has irregular forms in the present tense: am, is, are. The third-person singular form is is (e.g., He is a doctor).
Understanding these rules is crucial for avoiding common grammatical errors. Consistent practice and attention to detail will help solidify your understanding.
Common Mistakes
One of the most frequent errors is the incorrect application of the ‘s’ ending. Here are some common mistakes and their corrections:
- Incorrect: I walks to school.
Correct: I walk to school. (The ‘s’ is not needed with the first-person singular pronoun ‘I’.) - Incorrect: They eats lunch together.
Correct: They eat lunch together. (The ‘s’ is not needed with the third-person plural pronoun ‘they’.) - Incorrect: The students studies hard.
Correct: The students study hard. (The ‘s’ is not needed with the plural noun ‘students’.) - Incorrect: He study English.
Correct: He studies English. (The verb must agree with the third-person singular pronoun ‘he’.) - Incorrect: She have a car.
Correct: She has a car. (The irregular verb ‘have’ becomes ‘has’ in the third-person singular.)
Another common mistake is forgetting to change verbs ending in -y correctly. For example:
- Incorrect: He studyes English.
Correct: He studies English.
Pay close attention to the subject of the sentence and ensure that the verb agrees in number. Review the rules for irregular verbs and verbs ending in -y, -s, -ss, -ch, -sh, -x, and -z to avoid these common errors.
Practice Exercises
Test your understanding with these practice exercises. Identify the correct verb form in each sentence.
Exercise 1: Choose the Correct Verb Form
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ______ (walk/walks) to the store every day. | walks |
| 2. She ______ (eat/eats) breakfast at 8 AM. | eats |
| 3. It ______ (rain/rains) a lot in the spring. | rains |
| 4. The dog ______ (bark/barks) at the mailman. | barks |
| 5. He ______ (study/studies) English at night. | studies |
| 6. She ______ (work/works) at the hospital. | works |
| 7. It ______ (grow/grows) quickly in the sun. | grows |
| 8. The bird ______ (sing/sings) in the morning. | sings |
| 9. He ______ (drive/drives) to work. | drives |
| 10. She ______ (write/writes) in her journal. | writes |
Exercise 2: Fill in the Blanks with the Correct Verb Form
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He ______ (watch) TV in the evening. | watches |
| 2. She ______ (wash) the dishes after dinner. | washes |
| 3. It ______ (buzz) around the flowers. | buzzes |
| 4. The teacher ______ (teach) math to the students. | teaches |
| 5. He ______ (fix) cars in his garage. | fixes |
| 6. She ______ (try) her best in every competition. | tries |
| 7. It ______ (fly) high in the sky. | flies |
| 8. He ______ (cry) when he is sad. | cries |
| 9. She ______ (worry) about her exams. | worries |
| 10. It ______ (imply) a deeper meaning. | implies |
Exercise 3: Correct the Errors in the Following Sentences
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| 1. He study English every day. | He studies English every day. |
| 2. She have a new car. | She has a new car. |
| 3. It rain a lot in the winter. | It rains a lot in the winter. |
| 4. The dog bark at strangers. | The dog barks at strangers. |
| 5. He walk to school. | He walks to school. |
| 6. She eat lunch at noon. | She eats lunch at noon. |
| 7. It grow quickly. | It grows quickly. |
| 8. The bird sing beautifully. | The bird sings beautifully. |
| 9. He drive to work. | He drives to work. |
| 10. She write poetry. | She writes poetry. |
Advanced Topics
For advanced learners, consider these more complex aspects of action verbs ending in ‘s’:
- Subjunctive Mood: In certain subjunctive constructions, the ‘s’ ending is dropped, even with third-person singular subjects. This is common in formal writing and after certain verbs like suggest, recommend, and demand. For example: The doctor suggested that he exercise more. (Not exercises).
- Inverted Sentences: In sentences where the subject and verb are inverted, the ‘s’ ending still applies. For example: Here comes the bus.
- Collective Nouns: Collective nouns (e.g., team, family, committee) can be treated as singular or plural depending on whether they are acting as a unit or as individual members. If the collective noun is acting as a unit, use the ‘s’ form. For example: The team plays well together.
- Non-Count Nouns: Non-count nouns (e.g., water, information, advice) are always treated as singular and require the ‘s’ form. For example: The water flows smoothly.
These nuances require a deeper understanding of English grammar and context. Continued reading and practice are essential for mastering these advanced topics.
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions about action verbs ending in ‘s’:
- Q: Why do we add ‘s’ to verbs in the third-person singular present tense?
A: The ‘s’ ending is a grammatical marker that indicates subject-verb agreement. It distinguishes the third-person singular form from other forms and ensures that the verb matches the subject in number. - Q: What are some examples of irregular verbs that change form in the third-person singular?
A: Key irregular verbs include have (which becomes has), do (which becomes does), and go (which becomes goes). - Q: How do I know when to change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’?
A: Change ‘y’ to ‘i’ and add ‘es’ when the verb ends in a consonant followed by ‘y’ (e.g., study becomes studies). - Q: What if the subject is a singular noun phrase, like “The man in the blue shirt”?
A: Treat the entire noun phrase as the subject. If the head noun (the main noun) is singular, use the ‘s’ form. For example: The man in the blue shirt walks to work. - Q: Can I use action verbs ending in ‘s’ in the past tense?
A: No, the ‘s’ ending is specific to the simple present tense. In the past tense, verbs typically take a different form (e.g., walked, ate, studied). - Q: What happens if I forget to add the ‘s’?
A: Forgetting to add the ‘s’ is a common grammatical error that can make your writing sound incorrect. It violates subject-verb agreement and can confuse the reader. - Q: Are there any regional dialects where the ‘s’ ending is not used?
A: While standard English requires the ‘s’ ending, some non-standard dialects may omit it. However, it’s crucial to use the ‘s’ ending in formal writing and academic settings. - Q: How can I improve my accuracy with action verbs ending in ‘s’?
A: Practice regularly, pay attention to subject-verb agreement, and review the rules for irregular verbs and special cases. Reading extensively and getting feedback on your writing can also help.
Conclusion
Mastering action verbs ending in ‘s’ is a fundamental aspect of English grammar, crucial for both written and spoken communication. This article has provided a comprehensive overview of the rules, usage, and common pitfalls associated with these verbs.
By understanding the principles of subject-verb agreement, recognizing irregular verb forms, and practicing regularly, you can significantly improve your accuracy and fluency.
Remember that consistent practice and attention to detail are key to mastering any grammar concept. Use the examples and exercises provided in this article as a starting point, and continue to seek opportunities to apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.
With dedication and perseverance, you can confidently use action verbs ending in ‘s’ and elevate your English language skills.